Anger at lack of arrests despite initiate deaths

Despite the summer initiate death toll in the Eastern Cape having increased to 20, there has yet to be a single arrest.

Co-operative governance and traditional affairs spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam, speaking on behalf of Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa, said they were disappointed.

“We thought somebody would have been held responsible. These children died in the custody and care of traditional surgeons and nurses, people who have special responsibility to ensure their safety for the duration of their initiation, but some died of dehydration because they were denied water and others died of septicaemia because of poor wound management.

“They died of neglect from those who looked after them. Some were assaulted. Yet nobody has been arrested or found responsible,” he said.

Ngam hoped the 20 opened inquest dockets would not just be opened and closed, but thoroughly investigated.

“While disappointed, we will give the SAPS the space to do their jobs without being pressurised. We are talking here of the loss of 20 lives. We hope to see people charged for murder or culpable homicide,” said Ngam.

The 20th death is that of Makwande Nonimba, 19, of Upper Mpenduza in Butterworth, who Ngam said had cancer.

“He had cancer of the oesophagus. He complained of chest pains before passing on.”

Xasa said the police had not been idle, however, as 12 traditional surgeons in various parts of the province had been arrested for unlawful circumcision.

“Those arrested included bogus traditional surgeons, a parent and a grandfather in Amathole, Chris Hani and OR Tambo district municipalities,” said Xasa.

Xasa said in total 18 dockets had been opened for unlawful circumcision.

Unlawful circumcision includes circumcision of boys under 18, those circumcised without parental consent and that of their traditional leader, and also circumcising boys who do not undergo a mandatory medical examination.

The total number of cases opened so far is 38 – 20 inquests and 18 for unlawful circumcision. In the entire 2017 summer season, 17 initiates died while in the 2016 summer season 31 initiates died.

Including the 2018 winter season when 21 initiates died, a total of 41 initiates have died so far this year in the Eastern Cape.

These children died in the care of traditional surgeons and nurses, who have special responsibility to ensure their safety